PAPER MULBERRY

Eradicate This Weed

Description Fast-growing deciduous tree, 10–20 m tall that can form dense stands.

Leaves Rough-to-touch above, fuzzy-down below, finely toothed, 8–25 cm long. Variable in shape may be un-lobed, deeply lobed, egg-shaped, heart-shaped or mitten-shaped.

Flowers Separate male and female plants. Male flowers occur in long spikes that hang down loosely (pendulous). Female flowers occur in ball-shaped clusters, which mature into ball-shaped aggregate fruits. Flowers in spring.

Fruit Fleshy and orange to reddish-purple.

Stems Bark is pale brown and smooth or shallowly grooved. Twigs are hairy and reddishbrown. Sap exudes when broken.

Dispersal Seed dispersed by birds, bats and other animals eating and excreting the seed. May also spread by seed and vegetative reproduction from a stem or root fragments in waterways or dumped garden waste. Short distance dispersal via root suckers.

Confused with Weed species Mulberry (Morus alba), Anzac tree daisy (Montanoa hibiscifolia) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia and T. rotundifolia)

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Manually remove where appropriate. Ensure plant material does not contact the soil. Cut and paint or cut scrape paint with herbicide.